Getting your ice fishing gear to and from all your fishing spots is the key to a successful day.
You’ll often have to run around the lake moving spots in order to stay on top of the fish and without the best ice fishing sleds, this task becomes a lot harder. It’ll wear out even the best ice fishing boots.
The Best Ice Fishing Sled With Seat
Best Large Ice Fishing Sled
Best Wooden Ice Fishing Sled
You’ll end up being behind the fish and wasting a lot of minutes hauling instead of catching, which for all of us fishermen is a big no-no.
The best ice fishing sled will be big enough to hold all your gear and easy enough to tow across the ice so you can chase down schooling crappie and keep on catching them rather than missing them.
Our Best From The Review
Top Pick
Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled
Rotomolded for exceptional durability with no weak points. Comes in a medium size with a great amount of space for getting all the gear you need across the snow.
Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled
The best ice fishing sled overall is the Otter Sport Sled.
This sled is affordable, exceptionally durable, has great gear capacity, and moves fast over the ice.
You’ll be able to two this sled to your ice fishing spot with ease plus the sled has a high back and sides to keep your gear from falling out.
The Best Ice Fishing Sled With Seat
Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled
Rotomolded for exceptional durability with no weak points. Comes in a medium size with a great amount of space for getting all the ice fishing gear you need across the snow.
Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled
The best ice fishing sled with a seat is the Otter Pro ice sled.
This sled is almost unbreakable, has loads of space, and comes with hitch pockets so you can connect it up to a snowmobile or a snow machine for towing, saving you any aches and pains when towing it manually.
You can also opt to add the Otter Large Cushion Boat Seat that clips in with ease giving you a comfortable place to sit while you’re fishing.
Best Large Ice Fishing Sled
Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled
An awesome choice if you’re looking for versatility and durability with a lot of space.
Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled
The best large sled is the Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled.
It’s well made and tough plus it comes with sled runners and high sides to ensure your gear gets to your spot safely.
It has a huge capacity with loads of space for all your equipment and it’s sturdy enough for you to add any mods you might fancy.
Best Wooden Ice Fishing Sled
Goplus Wood Ice Fishing Sled
Made from one of the top woods in terms of durability. Raised with skis beneath it for good snow clearance and it’s exceptionally light.
Goplus Wood Ice Fishing Sled
The best wooden sled is the Goplus Wood Sled.
This sled is made from durable wood and has a huge carrying capacity of 330lbs to carry all the fishing gear you might want to take with you.
It’s a raised sled too, with a high back and sides giving you great clearance over thick ice and holding your gear safely.
The Best Ice Fishing Sleds
Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled
A great option for transporting all your ice fishing gear to your fishing spot through the snow thanks to its spacious and hardy design.
Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled
The Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled is a great option for transporting all your ice fishing gear to your fishing spot through the snow thanks to its spacious and hardy design.
These ice fishing sleds are made from polyethylene, a hard plastic that stands up well to any wear and tear, like being pulled across the ice for hours.
It’ll last you two seasons or more without any manufacturer related issues.
Size
The Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled has a great capacity thanks to its large dimensions. It’ll not only manage your gear but can also be used for firewood or moving deer if you’re into hunting.
Design
The base of this large sled has a contoured hull design along with molded runners that make it quick to tow across snow and ice, even with a heavy load.
With its sleek design and molded runners, you’ll be able to get to your fishing spots in no time, saving a few extra hours for fishing instead of towing.
Tow Rope
This sled does come with a tow rope included for free but it’s not the strongest and may require reinforcing or replacing with something a little more heavy-duty.
The runners can also wear out on rough terrains, so be careful not to pull this sled across anything but snow and ice, or the results will be damaging.
Price Range
For the price, it’s one of the top sleds to take out fishing in winter that is strong enough to be used time and time again for anything from deer, gear, and firewood.
Specs
- Material: Polyethylene
- Dimensions: 54 x 24 inches
- Weight: 12 lbs
Pros
- The contoured hull makes it easy to tow
- Supre strong and durable thanks to the polyethylene construction
- Molded runners make it easy to move through the ice
- Runners increase stability so your gear stays in the sled
- Great size for carrying a lot of ice fishing gear
- Large enough to be used for non-ice fishing ventures like moving firewood
Cons
- The rope provided is a little thin and may need replacing or reinforcing
- The runners can wear out on rough uneven terrain.
Beavertail Sport Ice Fishing Sled
One of the best ice fishing sleds for longevity thanks to its reinforced bottom.
Beavertail Sport Ice Fishing Sled
The Beavertail Sport Sled is one of the best ice fishing sleds for longevity thanks to its reinforced bottom.
You can load it up with a lot of gear without any worry about the bottom cracking.
Size
This Beavertail sport sled comes in 3 sizes, from small-large, to choose from. You can match the size of the sled to your abundance of fishing items.
The top one to get is the largest one in my eyes as the large size provides you with the ability to take as much additional ice fishing gear as you’d like.
Features
Using these ice fishing sleds couldn’t be easier.
The runners on the base help it glide through the snow like a ski might, so you don’t have to take any extra time getting to your ice fishing spot.
Material
The Beavertail sport sleds are made of polyethylene, making them tough as nails.
It won’t need any help surviving out in the snow but it’s certainly worth using some additional precautions when adding things to these sleds.
It’s best to add your gear gently to these sleds, as if you throw heavy items in, it can crack the bottom.
Ropes
These ice fishing sleds come with two ropes, so you always have an additional spare to take with you.
The ropes aren’t that strong though to beware when pulling heavy loads.
One more great thing about the Beavertail sport sled is the color, especially if you hunt.
Color
The beige color is easy to see on the ice but hard to see for animals while you’re hunting to help with your overall camouflage.
Specs
- Material: Polyethylene
- Dimensions: 64 x 29 x 11
- Weight: 17 lbs.
Pros
- 3 different sizes to choose from to match ice fishing needs
- Strong and durable polyethylene construction
- Includes a spare rope
- The largest size offers an excellent amount of space a lot of ice fishing gear
- Good runners for a quick tow
- Reinforced bottom for some extra durability
- Good color for use when hunting
Cons
- Be careful when loading, as anything thrown in can crack the bottom
- The ropes provided are weak and may snap under a heavy load
The Best Ice Fishing Sled With Seat
Otter Pro Ice Fishing Sled
A great sled in terms of durability. It’s made using a rotomolded process to create a one-piece polyethylene sled with zero weak points.
Otter Pro Ice Fishing Sled
The Otter Pro Ice Fishing Sleds come in every size from mini and small to large and magnum so you can choose the right size to suit your sledding needs.
Again, I recommend going for a larger size so that you can sort and fit all the ice fishing equipment you might in the sled, plus some additional room for any extras or your catch.
Build
If you’re looking for the top ice fishing sleds in terms of durability, this product is it. It’s made using a rotomolded process to create a one-piece polyethylene sled with zero weak points.
The sled is also designed with a high back and sides so the gear you plan on using doesn’t fall out while it’s being towed.
The lips are also raised and flared to stop any snow coming over the sides.
Accessories
This ice-fishing sled also comes with inbuilt hitch pockets so you can add a sled tow hitch for use with a snowmobile.
There are also a lot of other accessories to add to this sled like a Sled Travel Cover, Hyfax Runner Kit, Hitch Pivot, and a Rear Receiver Hitch.
RECOMMENDATION
You can also accessorize this sled with ease and I’d recommend adding the Otter Large Cushion Boat Seat.
Features
It’s tough, well made and super comfy to sit on while you’re waiting for fish to bite.
It’s made for the Otter Pro, mounts quickly and easily while still leaving enough space beneath it for all your equipment.
Weight
The only downside to this sled is how heavy it is.
The large size sled is 64lbs, making it a hard sled to tow by hand but still ideal for towing behind a snowmobile.
Specs
- Material: Polyethylene
- Dimensions: 84 x 44 x 17 inches
- Weight: 64 lbs
Pros
- 100% roto-molded one-piece sled construction for superior durability
- Available in 6 sizes to suit your ice fishing needs
- Great capacity for all your ice fishing gear
- The rear is raised to hold your gear securely
- The outer lip is reinforced for extra strength and longevity
- Includes inbuilt hitch pockets for easy snowmobile towing
- Raised stop snow coming in over the sides
- Loads of accessories available to make it easier to tow behind a snow-mobile
- Option to include the Otter Large Cushion Boat Seat for extra comfort
- Limited two-year warranty
Cons
- Very heavy when empty due to the durable construction
Best Wooden Ice Fishing Sled
Goplus Wood Sled
Made from one of the top woods in terms of durability. Raised with skis beneath it for good snow clearance and it’s exceptionally light
Goplus Wood Sled
The Goplus Wood Sled is another good option for getting your ice fishing equipment to your fishing grounds.
Build
It’s raised with skis beneath it for good snow clearance and it’s exceptionally light which is great if you’re using it for manual towing.
It’s made from one of the top woods in terms of durability, Fraxinus mandshurica wood. It’s hard and treated so it doesn’t swell or warp due to moisture.
Storage
This sled can carry up to 330lbs and is one of the best in terms of carrying capacity for its size.
You’ll be able to load up a lot of ice fishing gear onto it and tow it with ease knowing the high side and back are ensuring nothing falls out along the way.
The sled is a top one to get if you have kids as it doubles up as a toboggan, so they can have fun playing around while you’re ice fishing and waiting for a bite.
Design
The downside to these ice fishing sleds is that the rope is a little weak and might need to be upgraded.
There are gaps in the sides, bottom, and back of each sled, you might want to use a tray for all your ice fishing equipment, so none of it slips through onto the snow.
Also, for the price, they are quite small in size compared to the others.
Specs
- Material: Wood
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 29 x 14 inches
- Weight: 6 lbs
Pros
- Large carrying capacity of 330 lbs
- Durable design and great materials
- Raised back and sides to ensure your gear stays put
- Lightweight when empty and easy to move around
- Doubles up as a child’s sled for enjoying the snow in
Cons
- Included rope may break under a heavy load
Top Pick
Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled
Rotomolded for exceptional durability with no weak points. Comes in a medium size with a great amount of space for getting all the ice fishing gear you need across the snow.
Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled
The Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled is another great option for hauling your ice fishing gear.
Similar to the other Otter sled in the review, this one is also rotomolded for exceptional durability with no weak points.
It would be great if all sled manufacturers took a page out of Otter’s book and used the same rotomolded design.
Size
The Otter Sport Sled comes in a medium size with a great amount of space for getting all the ice fishing gear you need across the snow.
While being spacious it’s also light when empty, at just 12.5 lbs making it ideal for towing by hand.
As with all Otter sleds, you get a universal tow hitch adapter so you can pull it behind snowmobiles and get to your ice fishing spot as quickly as possible.
Design
The back of the sled is raised to stop any gear flying out the back of it, and the sides are quite high too, ensuring the best in portability for all your ice fishing gear.
On the bottom of the sled are good runners that help the sled move quickly and easily, reducing any friction related delays due to a sluggish sled.
Ropes
The only downside to this sled is nothing new, it’s the ropes again.
Even though the ropes are new out of the box they still aren’t heavy-duty enough to pull a heavy load confidently and you may want to get a spare to carry with you.
Specs
- Material: Polyethylene
- Dimensions: 25 x 12.5 x 10 inches
- Weight: 12.5 lbs.
Pros
- Super durable 100% roto-molded polyethylene build
- Lightweight for towing by hand
- Includes a universal tow hitch adapter for adding to a snowmobile
- Raised back to keep you ice fishing gear safely in the sled
- Good runners for quick sledding over ice and snow
- Reinforced outer lip for extra durability
Cons
- Ropes included aren’t heavy-duty and may snap
Flexible Flyer Ice Fishing Sled
An awesome sled for hauling a lot of gear to your fish spot. It’s durable and has a large capacity designed two hold 2 adults.
Flexible Flyer Ice Fishing Sled
The Flexible Flyer Ice Fishing Sled is an awesome sled for hauling a lot of gear to your fish spot.
Size
It has an extra-long size and is designed to hold two adults, so you can rest assured no matter how much gear you have, this sled will get it across the ice with ease.
Plus you can also use it to have some fun toboggan races too.
Material
The sled is made from a no-break resin which simply – doesn’t break.
It’ll last you for multiple fishing seasons on the ice and unlike a lot of the other ice sleds, it comes with a heavy-duty tow rope that won’t need upgrading or replacing.
Portability
Another great thing about this sled is that it slides over snow and ice easily so you can get your fishing spots quickly.
Plus, it only weighs 7lbs, so giving you less weight to push around.
Design
The downside to this sled is the shallow back and slides.
Your gear could slip over the edge or out the back if you’re moving at speed but if you’re towing the sled by hand, your gear should be fine and stay put.
Specs
- Material: No-break resin
- Dimensions: 66 x 20 x 6 inches
- Weight: 7 lbs
Pros
- Lightweight for easy hand towing
- Moves quickly across the ice
- Doubles up as a family toboggan
- Durable build with no-break resin
- Large carrying capacity
- Comes with a heavy-duty tow rope
Cons
- Sides are low, if towing fast, your gear may fall out
Best Large Ice Fishing Sled
Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled
An awesome choice if you’re looking for versatility and durability with a lot of space.
Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled
The Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled is an awesome choice if you’re looking for versatility and durability with a lot of space.
Capacity
It has a huge carrying capacity of 500 lbs, ample room for all your equipment, and you can easily add a tow hitch to make towing this utility sled around a lot easier.
On its wide base are some sturdy rails that help the sled stay stable and track over the ice quickly.
Design
The sled also features built-in indentations for bungee cords so that you can lash everything down securely which is especially handy if using snowmobiles and traveling at speed.
The only downside is that this utility sled is expensive, but you’re likely to enjoy three seasons or more out of it, so it’s worth the investment.
Specs
- Material: High-density polyethylene
- Dimensions: 74.5 x 30.5 x 14.75
- Weight: 33 lbs
Pros
- Great size and holds lots of equipment
- Well made and super tough
- Comes with built-in indentations to hold bungee cords so you can secure your equipment
- Excellent rails to ensure it moves easily over ice and snow
- Huge carrying capacity of 500 lbs
- Easy to add a tow hitch
Cons
- Expensive
What’s An Ice Fishing Sled?
Simply put, ice fishing sleds are a transportation device that are pulled manually or connected to a snowmobile or a snow machine for taking your ice fishing gear safely, easily, and quickly across any ice or snow that lies between you and your fishing spot.
Why Buy An Ice Fishing Sled?
Convenience Over Long Distances
When you’re on an ice fishing trip, you often have to walk long distances to where you want to fish.
This is because the ice is not usually thick enough to safely drive across with a vehicle and so getting your gear requires some manual effort.
Ice fishing sleds make this easier.
Easier Transport
You can load up everything into your sled and use the ice to your advantage, sliding all your heavy equipment to where you want it to be.
It’s far more efficient and convenient than carrying 3 rods in your left hand, a bucket with a fish finder in your right, plus a backpack full of everything else you might need.
Carrying Capacity
As well as being more convenient, you can fit a lot more gear in a sled than you can in your hands and a backpack.
This will save you multiple trips to your car and ensure you can have all the fishing equipment you need with you.
Ice Fishing Sled Mods
You should also think of a sled as a bare shell waiting to be modified to suit all your gear carrying needs.
You can create the exact layout on your sled for the ultimate organization of your tackle.
Check out the Otter Pro Sled getting modified…
Storage
You can add rod holders, battery holders with power outlets for your fish finder, add compartments for tackle and tools, create a flat surface on top for your cooler and auger with storage underneath, and even add tow bars, hitches, and ski’s for better portability.
TIP
The options truly are endless, but in order to do them all, make sure you buy the right sled to do them all, to begin with.
Organization
There is no point in towing all your equipment to your fishing spot if it’s all going to arrive in a tangled mess.
A sled, especially if modified, lets you not only transport everything easily but also helps you take it there organized and ready to start fishing with.
Versatility
Once you own a sled, you may end up wanting a few more simply because you’ll notice how easy a sled makes moving things around an icy environment.
A sled is perfect for bringing firewood into the house or dragging a deer home from a hunt, and a lot more.
Things To Consider When Buying An Ice Fishing Sled
Size and Weight
You should think hard about how much space you’ll need in your sled for all your fishing equipment. Whether it’ll fit your ice fishing bib, boots, augers and other fishing gear.
Sleds come in a range of different sizes and having a sled that is too small will be very frustrating.
Ideal Size
I’d always advise going for a larger size than you think you’ll need just to have some extra space for organization and any mods you might want to make.
There is a balance to be struck between size and weight though.
NOTE
Generally, the larger the sled the heavier it is, and therefore the more weight you’ll end up having to pull across the ice.
Durability
Being a sled is no easy life, especially when you’re loaded up with a heater, ice auger, fish finder, plus loads of rods and being dragged across hard cold ice.
Most ice fishing sleds are made with durable material. To survive, a sled needs to be tough and the best ones out there are made from polyethylene and are rotomolded.
Rotomolded sleds have zero weak points and are therefore far less likely to bend, break or crack.
Also, they will handle being drilled into when you want to add mods such as rod holders.
Depth
The deeper the ice fishing sled, the better.
Deeper sleds not only hold more but they also ensure nothing slips out of the sides while you’re towing your sled around.
This is less of a problem if you’re towing the sled slowly, but when using a snowmobile, your gear could easily fall out the rear or topple over the sides when going at speed.
Hitch Pockets
Most ice fishing sleds come ready with a built-in hitch pocket that’ll let you hook up a tow bar with ease so you can pull the sled more easily or behind a snowmobile.
It’s worth getting a sled with a hitch pocket as having more options makes life a little easier in my experience.
TIP
You can choose to use a snowmobile or create an easier towing system for yourself if you want to.
Sledding Out
The world of ice fishing sleds isn’t too complicated and picking the right one is all about choosing the best sled for you is all about getting the right sized sled for your gear and a sled that can be towed the way you want it.
The Best Ice Fishing Sled With Seat
Best Large Ice Fishing Sled
I hope the article has helped you find the right ice sled for you, but if you’re still unsure, here is a bit more advice about which to go for.
The Best Ice Fishing Sled With Seat
The best ice fishing sled in my eyes is the Otter Pro.
It’s as tough as a sled can be, has a great capacity, and you can tow it by hand or by snowmobile.
Also, it’s strong enough to handle any mods you may want to add to the sled such as rod holders and more.
Plus can opt to add the Otter Large Cushion Boat Seat so you can fish in comfort.
Best Large Ice Fishing Sled
The best ice fishing sled if you have a lot of gear is the Pelican Trek 75 Ice Sled.
It has a huge capacity and high sides which is perfect for storing a lot of gear and keeping them secure while you’re on the move.
Feel Free To Share!
Thanks for checking my article out, and hopefully you know everything about ice fishing sleds so you can buy one with confidence, knowing it is the best ice sled for you.
Please share this article about the best ice fishing sleds around with your fishy friends and why not check out some of my other reviews on ice fishing gear.
I’d recommend looking at ‘the best ice fishing flashers’ article where I go through the best ones on the market and explain how they’ll help you catch a lot more fish. I also have this review of the best ice fishing floatation suits to keep you safe while you fish on the ice.
